My initial thoughts upon unpacking the show was that they looked cool. Gray, black and blue…those look good together. Flip the shoe over and you just may get fooled into thinking that you are looking at a fat boy mountain bike tire.

Yes, the tread is that intense. Now let’s face it, we all want the same thing from a running shoe. We want comfort on a run, reliability of at least 500 miles, and we don’t want to pay through the nose for a shoe. This is what I call the trifecta of a running shoe.

If you didn’t want that, I certainly doubt that you would be reading this review. Now if we can find the trifecta we just may be willing to sacrifice the affordability and pay a bit more for a shoe.

I myself have never had the pleasure of running in Saucony’s before. In fact, I prefer to test out running shoes that I have never had prior experience in as I feel that my bias is removed.

My expectations though were high for the Peregrine 8’s as Saucony is a brand that is synonym with running shoes. I found the Peregrine 8 to be a decent shoe.

I was waiting for the wow moment which is the moment when you say…wow this shoe is awesome, or this shoe is so comfortable, or I never want to take this shoe off my feet…it just didn’t happen for me.

This is not to say that the shoe did not perform…I just never had the moment when the skies parted, and I found my next go to pair of shoes.

In order to fully appreciate the versatility of the shoe, I thought that it be best to put it through the first three weeks of an intense half-marathon training program; which included running 4 days a week and I even did some cross-training activities while wearing the shoe.

Saucony Peregrine 8 General Info

Skechers GoRun Ultra R2 – Pair

Saucony Peregrine 8 – Toe

The Saucony Peregrine 8 replaces the Saucony Peregrine 7 and is for those seeking for a neutral trail running shoe to run on trails of all types.

This is not a shoe that I would seek out to use in part of a marathon or half marathon training program unless you are running up to the top of Pikes Peak. Then yes, by all means use this shoe. The shoe boasts stability and delivers.

The shoe somewhat delivers. While the shoe does have a decently firm external heel that offers additional support and keeps the back of the foot locked in place, the shoe runs a half size big which created some slippage for me.

I countered this by wearing thicker socks. This also kept my foot warm on cold weather runs.

While the shoe is very similar to the Peregrin 7; the 8 is a touch heavier, the heal stack height goes from 21.5mm in the 7’s to 24.5mm inthe 8’s but the offset is exactly the same.

Saucony Peregrine 8 Sole Unit

Much like the Peregrine 7, the Peregrin 8 offers what is known as the EVERUN Topsole, Saucony boasts that the EVERUN Topsole, technology directly relates to the shoe giving the runner, “enhanced energy return and continuous cushioning throughout the run.”

I would agree with this statement…almost. The sole did offer cushioning, but I did not find it as responsive as many other shoes. Case in point. When you run there are shok absorption lines that are created in the sole.

It is a direct effect from logging miles. The It was my experience that the shock absorption lines were not present until many miles were logged. The design of the outsole and midsole did provide a decent amount of cushioning.

The Peregrine 8 also offers what is known as a PWRTRAC outsole and a PWRFOAM midsole. PWRTRAC outsole boasts, “optimal grip and traction across multiple surfaces.”

Saucony Peregrine 8 – Sole

That is true as the grip on these shoes is one of the better grips I have run in while the PWRFOAM midsole offers, “a smooth ride and added rebound.” I did not experience the added rebound as I found the shoe overall to be a tad on the non-responsive side.

Saucony Peregrine 8 Upper Info

The Peregrine 7 had a webbing that was changed to a mesh. This change doesn’t seem to be drastic to me. The upper of the Peregrine 8 is very comfortable. The upper is made out of a synthetic material that allows for ample air to access your toes.

The Peregrine 8 does not run true to size. I wear a 9 1\2 all day every day. It has been that way since the late 90’s. The Peregrine 8 in my opinion ran a half size bigger than other shoes.

The shoe does though provide decent support and when you lace up, however; my foot never felt as if it was truly locked into place as it did with other shoes like the Hoka Speed Instincts. With that said I did not have the unfortunate case of additional rubbing or blistering as I ran.

However, with any shoe that has been made with a porous upper…beware wet and snowy runs since your feet will get cold and wet.

Saucony Peregrine 8 Conclusions

After logging miles and miles in these shoes I have come to form this opinion. If you want to go off road, this is not a bad choice.

Saucony Peregrine 8 – Top

The price for the shoe is a litter higher than I want to pay, but to caveat that…I find most things to be expensive.

I did enjoy the runs I took in these shoes. They were durable, and the traction is supreme to most shoes in the trail running category.

In the end does the shoe meet the running trifecta? Yes. The shoe offers comfort, support and is worth the 120 that the manufacture is asking.

Considering that after 60 miles the shoe still acts and looks like new, makes me think that these shoes will stand up to the test of time. One area to consider is to clean them after your trail runs.

I know that it is easy just to take them off but spending a few minutes removing the rocks that get stuck in the tread and wiping the soles and outside of the shoes off will keep them looking like new and will pay dividends down the line.

We purchased a pair of Saucony Peregrine 8 from runningwarehouse using our own money. This did not influence the outcome of this review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.